The MDX is generally a solid, reliable pick as a late-model used vehicle or as a decade-old choice for budget-strapped parents. First-generation vehicles were a little more drab than the Lexus RX and BMW X5 of the time; and some versions could exhibit harsh transmission shifts (a software update was mandatory on some models). The MDX's shared underpinnings with the Honda Pilot—combining a uni-body with a ladder frame—result in a vehicle that stays tough, tight, and rattle-free into high mileage.